Motors for Portable Medical Devices

Coreless DC motors
From a DC motor standpoint, coreless motors are extremely easy to use because the application involves applying a voltage for the motor to produce the speed and torque. They’re ideal for portable devices because speed and torque are controlled by the voltage, requiring no electronics. “The top design goals with portable devices are size and weight, and obviously the portable device needs to be easy for the consumer or patient to use,” said Beckstoffer. “The advantage that coreless DC motors offer compared to a DC iron core motor based on their construction is the fact that they are lighter weight and more efficient.”

New slotless, brushless ECS Series motors from Portescap are targeting hospital invasive ventilators and home care bi-level respiratory machines, where high-speed operation and highly dynamic control are used to quickly adjust the pressure output of the ventilation system. (Source: Portescap)

A typical DC iron core motor has a wound rotor, which is basically just a mass of iron. The coreless design means there is no iron core to the center. Using magnets, the tube, and a custom winding eliminates the large iron core, saving weight from the system standpoint. Because of the type of construction, the motors can be much smaller in diameter, down to eight millimeters.

For a portable lab analyzer, for example, being able to reduce the size provides more portability. For an infusion pump that a patient will wear on their hip, the goal is for the unit to be as small as possible. Using an 8-mm-diameter motor and associated 8-mm gearbox provides a very compact, yet powerful package.

New designs are also achieving increased flexibility because neodymium magnets that increase power density are becoming more widely used. And even in the smaller sizes, the design is not sacrificing the output of the motor itself. “When you look at the difference between a coreless and an iron core motor, you don’t have the iron losses as the motor is rotating,” said Beckstoffer. “With an iron core motor, there are significant losses which translate into a lack of efficiency. The power put in is not achieving equivalent power out of the motor. With coreless technology, these losses are practically eliminated, which increases the efficiency of the motor’s operation.”

In terms of a portable medical device running on a battery, battery life is critical. The efficiency increase by coreless motors extends the battery life of the device, allowing the customer longer time between charges or extended use of the device. This creates a better customer experience for the patient. As Beckstoffer explains:

What we have done in terms of motor design over the last few years has been focused on adding the ability to use neodymium magnets to increase the power density. If the motor is able to produce more power, it requires less power in for the same equivalent power out. An additional benefit from a design standpoint with coreless DC motors is increased flexibility in terms of motor diameters and motor lengths. The result is increased performance and tighter motor packages.

Great story, Al. If you consider all the different types of medical diagnostic machines that are expected to become portable -- CAT scans, MRIs, various types of X-ray equipment -- the potential for motors in these applications is tremendous. I've heard of MRI makers who plan to build portable MRIs that could be used on the sidelines of football fields.

Nice article Al. Revamped, highly tech, highly portable medical equipment will probably soar in development and sales for many years to come. There are huge savngs to be had by putting the hospital into mobile devices. Add that to the aging population we'll see significant growth.

"targeting applications in respiratory therapy ranging from hospital invasive ventilators to home care bi-level respiratory machines, where high-speed motor operation and highly dynamic control are required to quickly adjust the pressure output of the ventilation system."

AI, brushless dc motors are in place for more than a decade and even we are using it for space/avionic applications. But obliviously it's lagging in terms of performance of Hall-effect sensors and throughputs. I hope these new series of motors can address such issues.

Rob, there is no doubt that major application side developments are going to happen in medical electronics sector. It can be in terms of both Hardware and software, so such innovation and technology can boost the developments for a handy and compact devices.

Motor manufacturers definitely have targeted this market, and have been working over a long period to develop motion solutions that work in mobile applications -- and also deliver the best performance. Lots of attention on it because of the potential growth possibilities.

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